Our Ph.D. students' success is based in part on active and thoughtful relationships with their advisors, who provide essential guidance and support to students launching their academic research careers. This section provides helpful insights into maintaining a productive student-advisor relationship, including advice on selecting an advisor, choosing a research topic, setting expectations, and addressing potential problems.

Learn about the Annual Review of Progress, a yearly assessment conducted by a committee of Allen School faculty members of each Ph.D. student's progress toward meeting program milestones. Each student is an individual, and individual schedules will vary. The purpose of the annual review is to ensure that each student is maintaining satisfactory performance in coursework and research and achieving the goals set in consultation with their advisor(s) over the course of the program.

Discover how to engage undergraduate students in your research, including how to recruit potential students, whether to offer credit or monetary compensation, and tips for providing a rewarding experience to undergraduate researchers as valued members of your team.

Find useful information on how we determine office and desk assignments, obtaining health insurance, academic misconduct and privacy policies, the process for requesting on-leave status, and how to prepare for graduation.

Visit our student affairs page, maintained by students for students, to find helpful links and insights on a range of topics that will help you engage with the Allen School community and get the most out of your time as a Ph.D. student.